Chapter 17.56
SIGNS
Sections:
17.56.020 Exemptions from chapter.
17.56.040 B-1 district – Permit required.
17.56.050 B-1 district – Permitted signs.
17.56.070 Identification signs.
17.56.080 Platted areas – Advertising signs.
17.56.090 Residential identification signs.
17.56.100 Prohibited sign locations.
17.56.120 Deleted.
17.56.130 Deleted.
17.56.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of interpretation of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Permanent type sign” means any sign which is affixed to the ground or a permanent structure or building in such manner that it cannot be moved or transported with ease and which is intended to remain in one location and position for an extended period of time.
B. “Portable type sign” means any sign which is not permanently affixed to the ground or a permanent building or structure and which may be moved or transported with ease.
C. “Sign” means any medium, including its structural and component parts, which is used or intended to be used out of doors to attract attention to its subject matter, for advertising or any other purpose, other than paint on the surface of a building. In computing the area of an allowed sign, only one side of a double-sided sign shall be counted for allowable sign computation. Lettering on the surface of a permanent building or structure in a B-1 zoned area shall not be considered a sign.
D. “Temporary type sign” means any sign which is to be displayed for a limited period of time only. A temporary sign may be of rigid or nonrigid construction. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 680 § 1, 1993; Ord. 651 § 1, 1991; Ord. 148 § 1, 1963; Ord. 146 § 1(F), 1963)
17.56.020 Exemptions from chapter.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any sign or signs erected by the city for any municipal purpose. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 210 § 1, 1967; Ord. 146 § 1(H), 1963)
17.56.030 Compliance.
No signs of any kind shall be erected and/or displayed and maintained within the city except as authorized in this chapter. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 146 § 1, 1963)
17.56.040 B-1 district – Permit required.
A. Except as provided in CHMC 17.56.060, it is unlawful to place, erect, construct, reconstruct or alter any sign within B-1 zoned areas of the city without first obtaining a written permit therefor from the city public works director. To obtain such a permit, the applicant shall file a written application which shall:
1. Clearly indicate precise location of proposed sign;
2. Be accompanied with adequate plans and specifications;
3. Be signed by owner or authorized agent.
B. Upon receipt of such application, the city public works director shall make such investigation as the public works director shall deem necessary to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and the public works director shall issue the permit only in the event such compliance is established to the public works director’s satisfaction. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 146 § 1(D), 1963)
17.56.050 B-1 district – Permitted signs.
In B-1 zoned areas, each business establishment located therein shall be allowed to erect and maintain one permanent type sign for the advertising of its services or products and the sign may be either attached to the principal building in which the business is situated or be erected separate therefrom. Business establishments which face on two streets shall be allowed one such sign for advertising on each street. The signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:
A. The accumulated total area (total combined size) of all permanent type signs erected by a business establishment shall be no more than 100 square feet.
B. A sign panel with advertising on both sides thereof shall be considered one sign.
C. In no event shall any portion of any sign extend to a height of more than 20 feet above the surface of the ground.
D. No sign of any kind shall be located closer than 15 feet to adjacent right-of-way lines.
E. Any sign incidental to a business shall be erected only upon the parcel, tract, lot or site upon which the business establishment is located.
F. Two portable type signs, each of a size no larger that 12 square feet and extending to a height of not more than four feet above the surface of the ground, may be displayed by a business establishment during regular business hours. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 146 § 1(C), 1963)
17.56.060 Temporary signs.
A. Temporary Sign Standards. Any temporary sign authorized by this section, including temporary portable signs, shall comply with the sign locational standards of CHMC 17.56.100.
B. Temporary Signs Allowed. Temporary signs of the type set forth below shall be allowed in all zones within the city, subject to the following specific standards:
1. Real Estate Signs. One non-illuminated real estate “for sale” or “for rent” sign, not exceeding an area of 18 inches by 24 inches, along with name strip sign(s) located either above or below the real estate sign, which name strip shall also not exceed an area larger than 12 inches by 24 inches, shall be allowed on the premises for the sole purpose of advertising the legally-divided parcel, tract, lot or site and improvements for sale or rental. Boxes may be fastened to the temporary sign to hold fliers describing the real estate, but such boxes may be no larger than reasonably required to hold 8.5-inch by 11-inch sheets of paper. Real estate signs shall be removed from the premises no later than five days after closing of the sale. An additional real estate sign meeting the requirements set forth above may be located in the right-of-way with the written permission of the owner of the property immediately adjacent thereto, or on other private property with the written permission from the property owner. However, this additional sign shall only be allowed in these locations where the property advertised for sale does not front on a right-of-way and is not visible from a right-of-way;
2. Open House Signs. Portable, non-illuminated real estate open house signs may be used in connection with open house sales campaigns, but only during those hours when sales personnel are actually in attendance on the open house premises. These signs must be of the “A-board” or “sandwich” type, and shall be no larger than two, 24-inch by 24-inch panels. Four off-premises portable signs may be used to advertise or provide directions to the open house sales campaign;
3. Political Signs. Political signs may be posted on private property only with the permission of the property owner. Political signs may be posted in the city right-of-way, subject to the restrictions set forth in CHMC 17.56.100. All political signs shall be removed no later than five days after the date of the pertinent election;
4. Garage Sale Signs. A maximum of six signs may be used to advertise a garage sale, which signs shall not exceed four square feet in size. Such signs shall be removed within five days after the date of the garage sale. Notice of garage sales may also be posted in the city kiosk; provided, that the text of the notice is given to the city clerk, and such notice is not larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Posting of notices of garage sales in the city kiosk is subject to space availability;
5. Construction Site Signs. One sign, not to exceed a maximum of four square feet in size, may be permitted to be located on a parcel, tract, lot or site for which a valid building permit has been issued for the purpose of directing and identifying for subcontractors to the site of the construction and not for the purpose of advertising the construction company. The sign shall be removed no later than five days after completion of the work;
6. Miscellaneous Signs. Those noncommercial signs which are: (a) not otherwise prohibited by law or this chapter; (b) not exceeding three square feet in size; and (c) if advertising an event, are posted not longer than five days after the event, are allowed in all zones within the city. Governmental agencies may display banners larger than the size described in this subsection for the purpose of publicizing civic events over the public right-of-way, upon prior approval by the city for conformance with CHMC 17.56.100(A).
C. Any temporary sign or signs that are placed on non-right-of-way city property in violation of this section may be removed by the city without notice to the sign owner. After such removal by the city, the city shall attempt, in good faith, to identify the owner of the sign and shall provide said identifiable owner with a minimum of five days’ written notice prior to discarding or destroying the sign(s). (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 680 § 2, 1993; Ord. 651 § 2, 1991; Ord. 210 § 2, 1967; Ord. 146 § 1(A), 1963)
17.56.070 Identification signs.
A. Churches, schools, similar authorized uses and platted areas may be identified by two permanent signs erected and maintained at or in the vicinity of each entrance to such area. Any such sign must:
1. Be attractive in appearance;
2. Be of such construction and design which is in keeping with the general character of the surrounding neighborhood;
3. Be maintained in high quality condition at all times;
4. Be located within a landscaped area which is continuously maintained;
5. Be situated so as not to cause any interference with visibility of persons driving vehicles upon streets adjacent or in the vicinity of the area in which it is situated;
6. Contain only the name of the plat, church, school, etc., involved;
7. Not exceed four feet in total height above the finished grade.
B. Such signs shall only be erected pursuant to a written permit issued therefor by the city public works director and only after the owner(s) of the property involved have submitted an application for such permit to the city. Any such application shall contain a sketch of the proposed sign, together with details of proposed construction and design. Such permit shall be valid only so long as its requirements are fulfilled by the person or party responsible therefor. If, at any time subsequent to erection of such sign the city public works director shall determine that the permit requirements have been violated, the sign permit shall be revoked and the person or party responsible for the sign shall be immediately notified of such revocation in writing, which notice shall also require that the sign be removed within 30 days. Abatement shall proceed or civil penalties shall be assessed for maintenance of a sign in violation of this section as set forth in Chapter 17.80 CHMC. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 680 § 3, 1993; Ord. 651 § 3, 1991; Ord. 210 § 3, 1967; Ord. 146 § 1(B), 1963)
17.56.080 Platted areas – Advertising signs.
A. In a platted area involving three or more lots, one sign may be erected at each public entrance to the area for the purpose of advertising for sale the lots contained within the platted area.
B. The developer shall obtain a permit from the city clerk for the erection of the signs. The permit shall authorize the sign to remain in place for a period not to exceed six months from the date of city council approval of the plat, or planning commission approval of the short plat, except that if the signs are satisfactorily maintained, the permit may be reissued for a maximum of two additional six-month periods.
C. The signs shall be of dimensions no larger than four feet by eight feet. Further, the signs shall be in addition to those signs pertaining to the sale or rental of individual lots within the platted area, as authorized in CHMC 17.56.060. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 217, 1967; Ord. 146, 1963)
17.56.090 Residential identification signs.
In addition to address numbers on a residence, one sign containing only the name and address of the owner or tenant of a residence dwelling shall be allowed for each residence dwelling within the city. For the purposes of this section, an approved accessory dwelling unit shall be considered a separate residence dwelling. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 651 § 4, 1991; Ord. 146 § 1(E), 1963)
17.56.100 Prohibited sign locations.
A. No sign shall be placed on the public right-of-way in such a manner as to interfere with traffic or driver vision, impede pedestrian traffic or otherwise present a safety hazard. Furthermore, no sign shall be placed on the public right-of-way in such a manner as to damage or interfere with landscaping or irrigation systems. The determination of whether a sign is prohibited by this section shall be in the sole discretion of the city and is not appealable.
B. No sign otherwise permitted under this chapter shall be attached to any utility pole, light pole, trees, municipal or other public agency sign posts, nor to any building or structure. This subsection does not apply to banners authorized under CHMC 17.56.060(B)(6).
C. Any sign(s) placed in violation of this section may be removed by the city without notice to the sign owner. After such removal by the city, the city shall attempt, in good faith, to identify the owner of the sign and shall provide said identifiable owner with a minimum of five days’ written notice prior to discarding or destroying the sign(s). (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 680 § 4, 1993; Ord. 651 § 5, 1991)
17.56.120 Abatement.
Deleted by Ord. 805. (Ord. 680 § 6, 1993; Ord. 651 § 7, 1991)
17.56.130 Civil penalties.
Deleted by Ord. 805. (Ord. 680 § 7, 1993; Ord. 651 § 8, 1991)